Halt The Crisis In The Countryside

By writing to your MEP you can play an important role in ensuring wildlife-friendly farming is safe-guarded for the future.

In the next few weeks members of the European Parliament will make key decisions on the future of farming and the wildlife that depends upon it, as part of reforms to the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP).

The CAP, a system of agricultural subsidies which operates in a seven-year cycle, will be reformed again in March. This opportunity presents a rare chance to ensure the best outcomes for farmers, wildlife and the environment.

Sensitively managed farmland provides a key habitat for many species of widespread and endangered butterflies and moths as well as other wildlife.

Harmful agricultural practices over the last 50 years have placed these precious habitats and the wildlife that depends upon them under increasing pressure. For example numbers of grassland butterflies in Europe have almost halved in 20 years (link to BC Europe report)

Butterfly Conservation believes Europe’s agricultural policy needs urgent reform so that all farmers are encouraged to play an active role in halting habitat degradation on their land and maintaining High Nature Value farmland.

This will help slow the pace of climate change and help create a better environment for both famers and wildlife.

Dr Martin Warren, Chief Executive of Butterfly Conservation said: “European farming is at a cross roads, we urgently need reforms that conserve our precious wildlife and create a better environment for us all to live in.”

The crucial vote on farming takes place on March 13. You can play your part in helping to safeguard the future for farmland wildlife by writing to your MEP and urging them to vote for a greener agricultural policy. Find out how here

Butterfly Conservation and wildlife charities from across Europe have signed up to a letter explaining why the CAP is in crisis. Read the letter here